A book I've suggested to friends as a way to help understand the context and history is "The Dust of Empire: The Race for Mastery in the Asian heartland", by Karl Meyer. Specific enough to provide information but not overwhelming to the general reader. It helps you understand that events of the last several decades did not come out of nowhere but are the end result of a couple of centuries of American and, earlier, British, efforts in the region. Well recommended.

Please know how much I value your comments. I read every single one and do hope you will take the time to leave your thoughts. I think InstaGram with the Emojis have taken a lot away from blogging, but I love IG too.